My husband and I are the primary targets in this action taken by the City. Before I go further, I must express my deepest and sincere gratitude for the tremendous outpouring of support and encouragement from so many members here, and a note of special thanks to sufidog for the amount of time, energy and concern he has given us and our many furkids.
I have been beside myself for nearly 5 yrs, after moving to this neighborhood and finding myself in the midst of a huge feral cat crisis. I have loved cats (and dogs and all animals) all my life, and seeing the overwhelming amount of suffering that accompanies these beautiful animals being tossed aside, tossed out, abused and neglected, has been one of the most traumatic things I've ever been through.
I have been writing letters to the editor and letters to the community for more than 3 years BEGGING for help. BEGGING for the Mayor, City Council, my neighbors and the community as a whole, for help. BEGGING them to read the reams of literature I sent them, to show some sign of compassion. 3 yrs ago I spent $450 to run a 1/4 page open letter telling my community how I was being crushed by the amount of responsibility - and heartache - that I was experiencing, but that I had been so painfully aware that if I didn't do what I could for these animals, no one would. Not one person in my area responded. The Mayor and Council (with one exceptional exception) have treated us like some kind of trash, and their air and attitude of elitism is quite sickening.
My neighbor to the rear is a retired police officer, and has been literally slaughtering these helpless, INNOCENT, animals for years. He traps them and takes them to the nearby cemetary or wooded areas and shoots them. He has even bragged that he uses his own .22 in his own yard and shoots them.
Not long ago I sat on the ground with an orange and white 3-yr old boy while he suffered horribly, cried, writhed, tried to swallow and breathe, and drowned in his own blood, after being shot at point blank range in his chest. I wrapped him in a blanket after he died and took him to our vet, who Xrayed him and later removed the bullet at our request. The police will do nothing. I have "no proof". He spent all of his days here side-by-side with his mama. I had both of them spayed and neutered several years ago, they had rabies shots, and they were both very sweet and passive.
My neighbor has completely destroyed my attempts at TNR by killing nearly every cat I had neutered and spayed. Now the "new furkids on the block" have moved in, and our financial situation is no longer good enough for me to be able to afford to do it all again. We have spent tens of thousands of dollars on vet care, food and supplies, and our economy locally has fallen off so badly the past 2 years. Trust me when I say the last bill anyone ever chooses to pay is their attorney's billing. The majority of people think all lawyers are rich. We are struggling terribly, and spend nearly $250 a week to feed all of these animals.
(I have 37 inside now, all rescues, many came here as feral kitten rescues that we hand-fed and raised from very early. If I leave them outside, they are killed, so I feel I have no choice. It is nearly impossible to find a good home, and I do not let them go just "anywhere". I never will.
I am going to stop here since it is late, but will post again tomorrow to address sufidog's questions.
Again, I appreciate you all so much!
I should interject here that my husband is an attorney, both in private practice, and as Chief Public Defender in our County, as well as Solicitor for Children and Youth Services. In those capacities he also sees the worst of the worst. He is 52 and I am 54, FWIW.
Posted
November 17, 2006, 10:32PM
by
pierre
If the local police will not address the killing of cats, which your neighbour brags about trapping and killing them by shooting, how about the state police? It is against the law in pennsylvania to shoot cats -- under animal cruelty laws even if they are completely wild. I am sure you know that -- I also think this should be more widely publicized. Somehow the fact that the community has been so unresponsive and uncaring or perhaps afraid to get involved seeing the persecution and violence being practiced. I am going to make sure this whole thing gets more widely publicized -- perhaps in Pittsburgh but also throughtout the state and even in the national press, if possible. This whole situation is a public scandal -- where kindness and care is illegal and cruelty is supported by officials of the city government (against state law, as you know). That rallies all those who care for animals and who oppose cruelty together.
People who hate cats, by the way, are a very peculiar breed. They typically practice violence and hatred in other relations as well -- especially toward women and children (all those weaker and helpless, in fact).
Also, where is the newspaper in all this -- are they intimidated?
This is the kind of evil which must be combated and corrected -- for evil will triumph when good people are passive.
Hopefully some answers for you...
A few days ago I began to make and put up huge signs on my front porch, and it started raining so I only got 3 up. The next day there was a pic of my house on the front page of the paper, also accompanying story, very well done. The signs say "City of Bradford Mandates Cruelty to Animals", "Hell Will Freeze Over Before I Starve an Innocent Animal", and "The Only True Innocents - Children and Animals - Deserve a Voice". I still plan to make several more, but our weather has been very bad.
The newspaper has actually been covering this story much more than most stories, and their coverage has been quite fair. I've been thankful for any exposure we can get. They don't take a position on it, of course, but the City Editor is an animal lover ( I believe she has dogs) and has been quite supportive and helpful over the years.
My husband and I have had the discussion dozens of times about the fence issue and other proposed "solutions". Fencing is extremely expensive, we cannot afford it, and it will do absolutely ZILCH about the other feral and homeless animals coming on to my neighbors' properties. (Last week after our hearing the headline was something like "Neighbors say Cats Followed Langellas to Area"... LMAO) The truth is, until I moved here, there were always ferals, strays, homeless, throwaways... it's just that not one of my neighbors did anything to try to help or care for them, so they starved more, froze more (our winters are horrendous), had more kittens, and my ex-cop neighbor killed more...
Yes, this is absolutely a community crisis, something I have been screaming about for years, to absolutely no avail. I have said many times we should be ashamed of ourselves as a community, and people get really angry.
Yes, I made a police report the last time (that I know of) my neighbor shot the 3yo tabby and I stroked his back until he died. I went to the police station after taking him to the vet and seeing the bullet on the Xray. I said "you need to arrest this SOB", and the lady cop said I didn't need to tell them how to "do their job". They went to his house and his wife told them it "couldn't have been him because he was in church". LMAO more. They will do absolutely NO "investigation" of him. They have told me outright that they "have to take his word for it" that he says he doesn't do it. Never mind that the SOB shoots his mouth off all over the City/County about how many dozens he has killed personally. My husband and I are going to start asking for written statements from the many people that have told me this. We have big plans for Mr. Neighbor and his wife after these hearings, in court. Civil juries can convict and award damages based upon a preponderance of the evidence, doesn't have to be beyond a reasonable doubt, as you all know.
The local SPCA is another story, and one that I could have a stroke over, so have to try to be restrained...
I was on the board of the SPCA about 6 years ago. It was a huge farce and embarrassment, IMNSHO. I busted my butt to help at the shelter, donated substantial $$, cleaned, painted, purchased supplies all the time, adopted animals to save their lives (it has a horrible adoption rate and dozens a month get destroyed, put in plastic garbage bags, into a chest freezer, then out with the City garbage...) The more I tried to effectuate change and get more public support and interest, the more the Board fought me and we had huge knock-down, drag-out fights. There was employee theft, terrible record-keeping, virtually no accountability. A board that never interacted with any of the animals and very obviously was much more concerned with saying they were on a board than actually helping SHELTER and ADOPT animals.
I learned HTML to set up the first website on Petfinder,
Posted
November 19, 2006, 10:23PM
by
sufidog
I actually did a bit of trapping myself last night and this morning, however I did not get my kitty. I WILL get my kitty to neuter, however, just as I WILL pursue this miscarriage of justice and the investigation and prosecution of those who abuse animals. I went to a TNR clinic today and spoke with at least 40 people personally, asking for their support in this matter, and ALL of them were supportive (and have animal-loving friends and connections) and were ready for action. More on this later.
I'm glad that there are others who feed and care for abandoned cats in your community, and it really is too bad, to say the least, that they feel they must remain anonymous. That, in itself, is a clear sign that you live in an abusive environment. It's a shame that you can't all rally together on this. There is a lot of power in numbers, and if you were ALL moving targets in solidarity, the "officials" would have a harder time focusing on just you or your neighbor. Maybe there's some way to communicate to them, to get them to agree to stick and stand together.
I'm glad you spoke with the shelter manager and the humane officer and demanded that they take some kind of stand. The fact that neither has spoken out on behalf of the cats and caretakers is absolutely shameful. Good for you for having a voice.
Hang in there, your supports are with you. The earth is bound to move shortly.
Oh yeah, and I love the new signs.
I have the (front-page) article from today's Era but it's at my office. (Marcie did another great job BTW) I could copy and FAX it tomorrow morning if you want to give me FAX #, and we also have a scanner but I have no clue how to use it. I can ask my daughter to send it to you via e-mail (I think) or FAX, whichever is best for you. My e-mail address is c_langella@atlanticbb.net
Posted
November 23, 2006, 11:58PM
by
sufidog
Hooray! Happy Thanksgiving! It's too bad, but we don't get the pictures on the internet version of the paper. Apparently, we don't even get all the paper articles online. I don't recall the other article you mentioned with pictures of your signs. Too bad- I love visuals.
As for Mr. Shooter, all I can say is of course he does not want to SOLVE the issue of the cats coming over, because, if he can't pick on small creatures, what ever would he do with his life? It's interesting catch a glimpse of his communication with someone else. However, his style of interaction is the same in all cases- aggressive and abusive. He must have been a real treat when he was on the force. I'll bet they couldn't wait for him to retire.
Posted
November 18, 2006, 11:26PM
by
sufidog
THOSE SIGNS SOUND FABULOUS!! Good for you and your husband (and the only other kind neighbor who can bring herself to feed cats)! I'm glad to hear about the local paper. I haven't seen anything being reported lately (on line, anyway). The good article you mention was not featured, and so I thought that the press was silently trying to drop the issue. I then emailed the editor to let the paper know that over 65 faxes of support for the cats, caretakers and tnr were sitting in the mayor's office, intentionally not being released. I asked if he or the citizens of Bradford knew this. I have not heard back.
Last night, I sent out faxes of this web article, including the postings to 4 different newspapers in your area. I did this in the hope that some neighboring city would find it of interest and want to expose the truth. Unfortunately, stories about legislation involving animals and people killing "only cats" do not usually draw much attention. I, however, know that when I hear someone has tortured ANY animal, that person is sociopathic and enjoys torturing any living thing (including humans) he sees as smaller, weaker, and "less than" him. At any given moment, anyone can lose status with such a person and be in the same place as an animal that they have tortured. Those who have been kissing up to the cat killer had better watch their back!!
I'm not giving up on the newspaper articles just yet, however.
I'm glad that you have x-rays of the poor kitty who died a horrible death. I'm also glad that you have record of the female officer's remarks to you. And I'm supposing your original complaint is around there somewhere.
Well, needless to say, you have been swimming upstream by yourself for a very long time. I had already guessed as much about the local ASPCA, but thank you for filling in the individual portraits for me.
I just want to remind you that you are no longer alone in this. You have lots of support right here and currently, I am recruiting more.
More later!
What a wonderful Thanksgiving surprise to open the newspaper this morning at breakfast and see another front-page story about this issue, as well as another picture of the front of my house with add'l signs! I don't think The Era timed the stories to coincide with any particular event, but the last time a picture of my house with signs was run, the story was right below the banner story of Saddam's guilty verdict. Today, of course, is the special Thanksgiving edition, and we are again on the front page. I am just speechless (well, for a second or two) that we are actually beginning to get some real exposure and notice for these animals.
(I've always seen my home as my "sanctuary", and my place to "escape" all of the day-to-day stresses, and always shunned any kind of publicity or notoreity, but have had to determine that this cause is a noble and worthy one, and that these animals deserve any- and everything I can do for them.)
We are preparing for Monday's continuation of our appeal hearing, and are fully anticipating that the Board (which is also City Council) and Mayor made their minds up about this issue long ago. Anything that can or will be said will not, in any way, change their minds. They are closed-minded and will continue their pandering. Squeaky wheels around here, you know....
BTW, in my discussion with our Cruelty Officer last w/e, he related to me that he had once taken some cat repellant spray (not sure what kind) to the shooting neighbor, and that it had worked to keep the cats away. Mr. Shooter proceeded to ask Mr Cruelty Officer how often he planned to come to his house to spray the repellant for him, the CA told him he'd have to start doing it himself, and he said "Oh, no, I don't" And never did, apparently. This is the mentality of people who bitterly complain about "destruction" of their properties (still haven't seen any personally, even tho' our houses are all within 50 feet of each other) and then refuse to use any known deterrent to keep ANY animals out of their flower beds. Refuse to close their garage doors all year, but bitterly complain about cat paw prints on the hoods of their cars.
Most importantly, IMNSHO, refuse to take any responsibility *as a community* to stop the abuse, neglect, abandoning and killing of totally innocent animals. "It's not MY problem" should be our City Anthem.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Altho' I feel ready to break down at times from this whole thing - I am so encouraged and heartened that you all are doing so much to try to help us. No matter what, I will NOT let these animals down. They all deserve so much more than they've been given, the suffering is still all around me, and no amount of fencing or fines will stop, or even reduce, the suffering.
More as I get it.
:-)
Posted
November 26, 2006, 3:57PM
by
sufidog
The Era article has its own posting! Did you see it?
A couple of thoughts before breakfast... we are going to be looking for an attorney practicing in federal court that may be able to file a civil rights action for us. As you all know, the City has ordered us to break state law or they will destroy our property and fine us $200 a day.
Also, I have been saying - literally - for years that we desperately need as much exposure and publicity as we can get. For starters, it would be wonderful if these city "officials" would never again get elected to any public office.
I firmly believe that if we had more attention and exposure, there would be a major uprising and outcry on behalf of these animals.
I'd like to interject here that there are actually quite a few compassionate people in the City that are trying to care for strays and ferals, but on a smaller scale. They have written to us. And some of them are terrified to even give US their names because they are afraid of "getting caught" and thereafter getting fined, or worse. They write anonymously. How pathetic is that, that people would be afraid to be "outed" for being compassionate to the homeless and helpless!
I have made more signs that will go out later today. "Why does the City REFUSE to go after the REAL criminals?", "If we starve the City FAT CATS, do you think they will go through your garbage??", "Abandon, Abuse, Starve or KILL any dog or cat, go directly to jail, Do Not Collect $200 - At least not mine" (The City says they will fine us$200 a day if we continue), and lastly "How much COURAGE does it take to inflict pain, suffering and death on the innocent and helpless?"
This morning I left a voice mail for the SPCA board president, telling him he has to immediately meet with the board and decide definitively what the Shelter's position is going to be on this issue, that he can no longer hide from it and say nothing. I told him we were going to pray for statewide or national attention, and that he has to get his act together. No more pussyfooting around (sorry, couldn't resist )
I also spoke at length with our animal cruelty officer, who works directly FOR the shelter. I told him as well that he has to take a stand on one side or the other. To his credit, he has been attending the Council meetings and hearings, and says he will speak if allowed.
Another point I would like to make, which ties in with the thinking that someone who would delight in the torture and killing of small, innocent animals, might do much worse behind closed doors.... I have been well aware, for years, that my neighbor sits above my home (my backyard fence is about 4 feet away from his house, he has no backyard), and we are on a hill, so he overlooks my property from all of his rear windows. At night when I take food to the workshop/shed at the rear of our property, it is usually quite dark, and have to think daily about the fact that he may well decide to use one of his many weapons to just shoot me in the back some evening - or morning - especially if he thinks that his bullying and friendship with the Mayor and Council won't give him the "success" he is looking for. Oh well, I guess if he kills me, it will ensure that my husband gets his house and property, and he can turn it into a feral cat shelter. (she says tongue-in-cheek).
Thank you so much again for all of your time and effort! It is wonderful to not feel quite so alone!
Posted
December 04, 2006, 10:51PM
by
sufidog
Scooter,
I sent you an email last week. Just wondering if you got it.
Posted
November 28, 2006, 12:12PM
by
sufidog
Does anyone have a copy of the latest Bradford Era article? It didn't make the online edition of the paper. I need to know what it says!
Posted
November 18, 2006, 4:7PM
by
sufidog
I have to say that I have been just sick about this whole situation, and have been brainstorming about what to do. I am looking into national organizations, other than BF, to help with this ANIMAL ABUSE case, because, essentially, that's what this is. It is not fundamentally about the city enforcing this- whatever it is- it is about, specifically, cat abuse, and the city's endorsing of it. (It's also about on-going harrassment of you and your neighbor.) I do not believe that the council is forced to order the installment of an impossibly expensive fence or nothing. They could easily decide to order you guys to start with litter boxes in your backyards, which you clean out daily and having you order car covers and repellant for your complaining neighbors gardens. They have not even attempted a RATIONAL solution. And, it's not even that I think a fence would not work at all (I have a friend who has a tall vinyl fence that keeps cats in the yard.). It's just that it is VERY expensive and it won't solve the problem of widespread animal abuse in your community and it certainly won't solve the problem of ex-cops who look for little cats to murder so he can momentarily feel big in the world. As you already know, you have a very serious COMMUNITY CRISIS, and for some reason, I suspect it is because you and your husband are good, compassionate targets for a sociopath, you and your neighbor and your cats are the focus. What I want to know is, has there been a REPORT made of animal cruelty against this neighbor? Has there been an investigation by anyone? Is there any kind of paper trail yet? What is the local animal shelter's position on this situation of abuse, if they know about it, or what is their position on feral cats? What about local veterinarians? Do they know about the killing? Where do they stand on strays and ferals? Get me some answers, and I'll see what I can do.
Posted
November 17, 2006, 12:56PM
by
sufidog
Does anyone know why the local paper has ceased (at this writing) reporting on the cat situation there in Bradford? Why has there been no announcement of the new meeting date? How can those complaining STILL be allowed more time to testify when they have already taken 3 hours?! Including someone who has bragged about breaking the law, i.e., killing cats? Is there no democratic process in this city?? The next meeting sounds like just another opportunity to hang the caregivers. I think "the caregivers will be able to PREVENT their case in opposition" is an interesting slip of speech. Does the mayor not know how foolish and backwards her city looks from a national perspective? Sounds like there is a conspiracy afoot, and as usual, innocent animals bear the brunt. I don't see why the council cannot consider TNR as an alternative, rather than fencing, because there are plenty of things to do such as building sand boxes as litter boxes to prevent the cats from peeing and pooping in the neighbors' yards. Pepper and other products can be sprayed near the gardens to keep cats out. Car covers can be purchased to protect cars. Cats can be slowly lured away and fed in different areas. Fences are about the last thing anyone dealing with cats would suggest! Has no one READ the wealth of literature that has been sent to the mayor's office ???? I think that the council has already decided what they want to do, and this scheduling of a future meeting is all a front. I don't see how the council can justify preventing further "public nuisance" with either an impossible ruling for the erection of a fence or an ordinance that forces people to break the law of animal cruelty through abandonment. In light of this situation, what could the caretakers possibly need other than a shoulder to cry on? At this point, what could "support" legitimately be, other than exposing the corruption of its local government? In all seriousness, what exactly do the caretakers need?
Posted
November 16, 2006, 7:24PM
by
db2153
Your site is not accurately reporting the Bradford situation.
What's really going on is that 2 different feral cat caregivers in the same neighborhood have been cited by the city for creating a "public nuisance" by feeding feral cats. The city board of health(comprised of the same people as city council) entered an order directing the caregivers to stop feeding the cats on their property, forbidding them also from providing shelter, water, etc. The caregivers would be subject to fines of $200 per day for violating the order. One of the caregivers was also threatened with having a shed on their property torn down if they continued to allow the cats access to it.
The caregivers have appealed. The first part of the hearing was held on 11-13. Neighbors opposing the care of feral cats testified, complaining that the cats trespassed on their property causing various propery damage and smells. The second part of the hearing is to be held 11-27 @ 6p.m. The remainder of the protesting neighbors will testify, including a former police officer who has openly bragged about trapping and killing cats for years. The caregivers will be able to prevent their case in opposition.
The mayor has received significant numbers of e-mails and faxes supporting tnr. also advocated by the appellant caregivers. The way the hearing is going so far, the only alternative that the board may consider is requiring the caregivers to try to fence in the cats on their properies, which may prove cost prohibitive for both. There does not seem to be much interest on the part of this board in embracing tnr as a real option. The caregiver could use your support!
Posted
November 19, 2006, 10:42PM
by
pierre
So happy to see you standing up and raising a bit of cain with your signs and phone calls and direct open story telling. Many of us here are noticing more and more about this Bradford situation and your struggle for fairness, kindness, and indeed proper law against cruelty, neglect, and criminality. I am trying to keep the heat on the community and encourage it to rise to its proper values -- it is so easy for all of us to get complacent, lazy, and a lot of that is fueled by fear. If I speak up and take a stand it is easy to worry about the consequences, and in your community where persecution and fear is part and parcel of life, it can start to feel really scary to stand up. Congratulations on your firm stand -- know that you have many supporters and not all of them silenced and fearful. P.S. Perhaps you could ask your neighbor for a flak jacket for when you go out to feed the cats. LOL (Is that the code for Laughing Out Loud). Given the life he is living he may need it for himself.
Posted
November 14, 2006, 1:27PM
by
sufidog
UPDATE! It's not too late to send faxes and emails! The plaintiffs' testimony lasted the entire 3 hours of the scheduled meeting last night, so they must re-schedule to hear the defendants' testimony (the caretakers). I hope they give equal time. Please take a minute and give them your support for the cats, the caretakers, and TNR!
Posted
November 16, 2006, 6:34PM
by
sufidog
LATEST UPDATE!! Over 65 faxes!! in support of TNR have come into the Mayor's office, and still no meeting re-schedule date for the defendants (feral cat caretakers). As far as we can tell, no decision has been made. All is mysteriously quiet in the Bradford paper. We did find out that the mayor's office is choosing NOT to release the letters. We do not know if the city of Bradford even knows about the national attention they have received on this issue or if they even know about the letters sent in. We have been told that if you want the content of the letters known, they must be sent to the local paper. The paper is The Bradford Era (
http://www.bradfordera.com] The paper's fax is 814-362-6510.
Email the editor (Marty Wilder) directly at martyw@bradfordera.com
We will not let this issue, the cats, or caretakers, drop!!
Posted
November 23, 2006, 12:26AM
by
sufidog
The support is coming in for the cats and caretakers! Thanks to everyone who sent letters to the local paper. The local press has taken notice. Stay tuned for an update! The next Board of Health meeting IS Monday at 6pm at Bradford's Ciy Hall. (This meeting is closed to the public, because there will be more testifying.) This story ain't over yet!
So many thoughts, so little time....
First of all, I can't believe in my last post that I didn't even mention that it was due to the efforts of people in this group that our story was again run front-page of the Bradford Era. Thank you so much! Again!
Secondly, I was told yesterday that (I believe) sufidog was interviewed on our local radio station! I had no idea there was going to be an interview, and missed it!!! I seem to be missing so much!
Thank you! Thank you!
Now even more stressful topics, for me particularly... I posted that I had contacted the SPCA board president and Cruelty Officer last Sunday and told them they MUST take a position on this issue. I told Board Pres that I MUST have an answer ASAP. He never called.
This morning at breakfast I was told that Board Pres had contacted all Board Members and they had voted to TAKE NO POSITION - REMAIN "NEUTRAL" - ON THE ISSUE!!!!!!! Board Pres issued an order to all Board Members and SPCA staff NOT to discuss the issue with ANYONE. Not me, not the press, not anyone.
HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is SO reminiscent of my horrible experience on the Board quite a few years ago, when it was all about cover-ups, "shielding" the public from the real stats and situation at the shelter, refusing public involvement of any kind... They would not even allow volunteers !!! at the shelter for fear they would "find something out".
Mr Board Pres lives across the street from me. After breakfast I stopped at his house and pounded on his door 4 or 5 times. He never answered. The man literally HIDES in his house and won't answer the door. I have stopped there numerous times, knocked on all doors, knowing he is home. He never answers. Refuses to answer his phone. THE MAN HAS NO PETS, AND I DON'T BELIEVE EVER HAS. This is a freakin' crock.
I left him an extremely lengthy msg on his ans machine and have given him until the end of the day to get back to me with SOMETHING that is reasonable. If he does not, I have PROMISED that we will not only re-visit the front-page stories of my battles with the shelter from years ago, but that I will do my best to take it down and have them all replaced.
I was also told this a.m. that one of our local businessmen (he is a general contractor, one of the best - built an addition on my house a few years ago) attempted to get on the board (there are always vacancies, and God only knows why, because there never should be) and was REFUSED. He said he wanted to see some changes made. OOPS!! WRONG THING TO SAY TO THE McKEAN COUNTY SPCA BOARD!!!
We are meeting with the other Appellant this evening, as well as another local community member, long-time friend and businessman, who has testified on our behalf many times, and has been caring for ferals and strays for 16 years.... He is truly one of the best human beings you'd ever meet, kind, gentle, soft-spoken, selfless, decent, honest, doesn't cheat on his wife, works hard.... Gee, guess there's something wrong with HIM!!!
I will post more when I'm able. So much to do, so little time....
Thank you all again.